Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11

"so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do." — 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11 (ASV)

Most of humankind do not consider the things of another world at all, because they are asleep; or they do not consider them correctly, because they sleep and dream. Our moderation regarding all earthly things should be known to everyone. Should Christians, who have the light of the blessed gospel shining in their faces, be careless about their souls and unmindful of another world?

We need spiritual armor, or the three Christian graces: faith, love, and hope. Faith: if we believe that the eye of God is always upon us and that there is another world to prepare for, we will see reason to watch and be sober. True and fervent love for God, and the things of God, will keep us watchful and sober.

If we have hope of salvation, let us take heed of anything that would shake our trust in the Lord. We have ground on which to build unshaken hope when we consider that salvation is by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us to atone for our sins and ransom our souls. We should join in prayer and praise with each other.

We should set a good example for one another, as this is the best way to fulfill the purpose of community. In this way, we will learn how to live for Him, with whom we hope to live forever.